A Celebration of Family Carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – Sharing the Caring 2017

31 May 2017

Passionate dementia campaigner Tommy Whitelaw will share his experience as an unpaid carer for his mother at an event in Cambridge to mark National Carers Week (12-18 June).

The annual ‘Sharing the Caring’ event on Tuesday, 13 June (10am-4pm) at the C3 Centre, Coldhams Lane is jointly organised by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Carers Trust Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to celebrate inspiring carers and share practical support and information.

Tommy, who gave up his high profile job to care for his mother, speaks around the country about his experiences of being a carer, from her diagnosis with dementia in 2007 until her death in 2012. He writes a high profile blog called Tommyontour and has gathered over a thousand pledges on what matters for carers and now works for Dementia Carer Voices.

Tommy said: "As a son who cared for my beautiful mum Joan, I am so very proud to be attending and speaking at the Sharing the Caring celebratory event. Carers tell us that a little bit of time, listening and understanding can make an unimaginable difference during what can be a very difficult and lonely journey. No matter what your role you have the potential to transform the lives and experiences of people living with dementia, families and carers."

Winners of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Pride in Our Carers Awards 2017 will be announced in the afternoon, including Carer of the Year, Young Carer of the Year, Carer Friendly Social Care and Carer Friendly Employer.

The event, which is free, will be informative and entertaining, focusing on carers’ lives and explaining about their rights and how to plan ahead for an emergency. The doors open at 9.45 am for registration and advance booking is essential. Marketplace stalls will provide a range of valuable information and activities, some interactive, for family carers, including Tai Chi and Mindfulness workshops, and the chance to join the Labrynth Singing for Health group.

There will also be a chance to hear how the Triangle of Care is involving carers since Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust joined the scheme two years ago to strengthen the involvement of carers and families in care planning.

Dr Helen Brown, CEO of Carers Trust C&P, said: “We are thrilled that Tommy can speak at our major event as his experiences and passionate campaigning will strike a chord with many of our family carers who devote their lives to caring for a loved one with dementia.

“Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our family carers and the sacrifices many of them make to support loved their ones, but we promise everyone a good laugh during the day. We know that laughter is stress releasing, and that’s why we have booked Robin Graham, to have everyone rolling in their seats.

“Once again we have been moved to tears by the many heart-rending nominations that have been made for the Pride in Our Carers Awards. Our family carers do an absolutely amazing job and deserve public recognition for their selflessness. We cannot wait to share their inspirational stories with people on the day, and the people and organisations that support them.”

Aidan Thomas, Chief Executive, CPFT, said: “We know that there are thousands of unpaid carers in Cambridgeshire and that they are essential partners in support and recovery. So we’ve joined forces with Carers Trust Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for the second year running to organise a major event during Carers Week between 12-18 June to give them the chance to ask questions, get answers and share their experiences.”

Carers Trust Cambridgeshire will launch a major new fundraising initiative during the afternoon called Cash Quest 2017. Businesses, groups and individuals will be challenged to increase a £50 stake over 12 weeks to raise funds to support young carers.